Outdoor fan system

ABSTRACT

A camouflaged outdoor fan system includes a housing, a fan inserted into the housing, and a camouflaged lid removably connected to the housing. The housing is buried in the ground, or in alternative embodiment, mounted to the underside of a deck, the fan is inserted into the enclosure, and the camouflaged lid is placed over the fan to hide the fan and enclosure from view. The fan is operable to generate and propel an air stream out of the housing that can be used for cooling purposes. The system also may include optional features, such as a water-misting device, a heater, motion detectors, an evaporative cooling assembly, a temperature switch, a humidity switch, a rain gauge switch, a wind sensor switch, a dc power source, solar cells, or a remote control system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to fan systems. Moreparticularly, this invention pertains to a camouflaged outdoor fansystem.

[0002] Camouflaged fan systems used to generate air streams are known inthe art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D245,511, issued to Lewis on Aug.23, 1977 and entitled “Combined Furniture Commode and Room Fan,”discloses a fan system that includes a fan mounted in a lower portion ofa commode. U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,496, issued to Bussard on Jun. 28, 1988and entitled “Cabinet With Built-In Fan,” discloses a fan system thatincludes a fan installed inside a cabinet. U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,027,issued to Wong on Feb. 6, 1990 and entitled “Double-Effect Table WithHeating And Cooling Purposes,” teaches the use of a fan installed in afoot stand support for a table.

[0003] None of the above-referenced patents, however, suggest or teach acamouflaged fan system suitable for generating air streams outdoors. Inaddition, ceiling fan systems, which are also known in the art and areused to provide air streams outdoors during hot summer days, are notalways suitable for outdoor cooling.

[0004] First, ceiling fan systems are typically mounted above an area tobe cooled on a house, building, or some other type of support structure.In some cases, however, the use of a ceiling fan is not possible becausethe area to be cooled is not located close to a support structure. Moreimportantly, in other cases, the appearance of a ceiling fan is simplyundesirable.

[0005] What is needed, then, is an outdoor fan system for generating airstreams that does not require a support structure, such as a house orbuilding, and that does not have the appearance of a conventionalceiling fan system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention satisfies the above-referenced need using acamouflaged outdoor fan system that includes a housing, a fan (or airblower) inside the housing, and a camouflaged lid removably connected tothe housing. The housing is adapted to be buried in the ground, eitherpartially or completely, and is water, mildew, and ultraviolet lightresistant. The housing is also soundproof in order to reduce noisegenerated by the fan. The fan is operable to generate an air stream bydrawing air in through a lid air inlet port defined in the camouflagedlid and blowing air out through a lid air outlet port defined in thecamouflaged lid.

[0007] In one embodiment, the camouflaged outdoor fan system of thepresent invention includes a housing, a fan, and a simulated rock lid.In a second embodiment, the system of the present invention includes ahousing, a fan, and a planter lid, i.e., a lid that includes one or moreplants. In a third embodiment, the system includes a housing, a fan, anda promotional sign lid. In a fourth embodiment, the present inventionincludes a housing, a fan, and a deck mount lid adapted to be mountedbeneath a deck. In a fifth embodiment, the system of the presentinvention includes a housing, a fan, and a fence mount lid adapted to beconnected to the backside of a fence.

[0008] All of the above-referenced embodiments may also include optionalequipment, such as a water-misting device, an evaporative coolingassembly, a heater, an oscillating air stream directional guide, avariable speed fan, a remote control system, temperature switches,humidity switches, rain gauge switches, solar cells, a DC power source,or some combination thereof.

[0009] The present invention can be used in a variety of locations. Forexample, the present invention can be used in residential gardens andbackyards, sports arenas, amusement parks, greenhouses, municipal parks,national parks, state parks, zoos, national monuments, outdoorrestaurants, fishing piers, boat docks, campsites, or recreationalvehicles (RVs). In addition, the present invention can be used aroundpools, decks, patios, walkways, movie theater waiting lines, outdoorautomatic teller machines (ATMs), car washes, schools, daycares,kennels, barns and downtown shopping areas along sidewalks. In short,the present invention may be used anywhere there is a need for outdoorcooling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention positioned to blow an air stream on a park bench.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a garden hose reel lid used withthe present invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a birdbath lid used with thepresent invention.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bird feeder lid used with thepresent invention.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a promotional sign lid used withthe present invention.

[0017]FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of a fan used with the firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of thepresent invention positioned to blow an air stream on a park bench.

[0021]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0023]FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0024]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0025]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention connected to the underside of a deck and positioned toblow an air stream on the deck.

[0026]FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0027]FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention connected to the backside of a wooden fence.

[0028]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention connected to the backside of a wooden fence andpositioned to blow an air stream in an area beside the wooden fence.

[0029]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention connected to the backside of a brick fence andpositioned to blow an air stream in an area beside the brick fence.

[0030]FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention connected to the backside of a brick fence.

[0031]FIG. 23 is a block diagram of optional features that may be usedwith the present invention.

[0032] FIGS. 24 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of thepresent invention that includes an evaporative cooling assembly.

[0033] FIGS. 25 is a front view of the evaporative cooling assemblyshown in FIG. 24.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of the presentinvention includes a housing 10, a variable speed fan 12 positionedinside the housing 10, and a rock-shaped lid 14 removably connected tothe housing 10. The housing 10 is buried in the ground 16 and providessupport for the fan 12. The housing 10 is soundproof, in order to reducethe noise generated by the fan 12, and water resistant, to reduce theamount of water entering the housing 10 from the ground 16. In addition,the housing 10 is ultraviolet (UV) resistant and mildew resistant aswell.

[0035] The rock-shaped lid 14 includes a lid air inlet port 18, whichallows air to be drawn into the housing 10 by the fan 12, and a lid airoutlet port 20, which allows air to be blown out of the housing 10 bythe fan 12. In addition, the lid 14 includes a bug screen 19 connectedover the lid air inlet port 18 and a diffuser grill 21 connected overthe lid air outlet port 20. The bug screen 19 prevents bugs from beingdrawn into the housing 10 and the diffuser grill 21.

[0036] Although the lid 14 shown in FIG. 1 is rock-shaped, alternativeembodiments may use other shapes as well. For example, the lid 14 may bea garden hose reel lid 22 (see FIG. 4), a birdbath lid 24 (see FIG. 5),a bird feeder lid 26 (see FIG. 6), or a promotional sign lid 28 (seeFIG. 7). Furthermore, all of the lids have a common housing interfaceand are interchangable. Thus, the rock lid 14 may be replaced with thebirdbath lid 24 or the promotional sign lid 28.

[0037] Referring back to FIG. 2, the fan 12 is connected to an AC powersource (not shown) using quick electrical connect/disconnect fittings,30 and 32. The fan 12 includes a fan air inlet opening 34 and a fan airoutlet opening 36 (see also FIGS. 8 and 9), which is positioned adjacentto the lid air outlet opening 20. The fan 12 is operable to generate andpropel an air stream 38 out of the fan air outlet opening 36 and throughthe lid air outlet opening 20. A variety of conventional fans, such astube axial fans, cross flow blowers, motorized impellers, and axialfans, are known in the art and may be used with the present invention.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, the first embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in use directing the air stream 38 toward a parkbench 40. The housing 10 is buried in the ground 16, the fan 12 isinserted into the housing 10 and connected to an AC power source (notshown) using the quick electrical connect/disconnect fittings, 30 and32, (not shown in FIG. 3, but see FIG. 2) and then both the housing 10and fan 12 are covered by the rock lid 14. Because the fan 12 isconnected using the quick connect/disconnect fittings, the fan 12 caneasily be inserted into or removed from the housing 10.

[0039] The rock lid 14 includes a set of air diverter veins (or airguide) 42 for controlling the direction of the air stream 38. The airdiverter veins 42 may be adjusted to direct a narrow air stream 38 or awide air stream 38, depending upon the location of the invention and thearea to be cooled. For example, the air diverter veins 42 may beadjusted to provide a narrow air stream 38 approximately 20 degrees wideor a wide air stream 38 approximately 180 degrees wide. In addition, theair diverter veins 42 may be automated to oscillate back and forthacross a certain area. In this case, the present invention includes amotor (not shown) connected to the air diverter veins 42 for moving theveins 42 back and forth. Finally, the rock lid 14 also includes aconventional locking mechanism 44 for securing the lid 14 to the housing10.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 10-12, a second embodiment of the presentinvention includes a housing 48 partially buried in the ground 16, thefan 12 inside the housing 48, a planter lid 50 removably connected tothe housing 48, and a plant 52 in the planter lid 50. The secondembodiment of the present invention is identical to the first embodimentwith the exception of a couple of features.

[0041] First, the second embodiment does not include lid air inlet andoutlet ports, 20 and 22. Instead, the second embodiment includes ahousing air inlet port 54 and a housing air outlet port 56, both ofwhich perform the same functions provided by lid air inlet and outletports, 20 and 22.

[0042] Second, the rock lid 14 of the first embodiment is replaced withthe planter lid 50, which includes a recess (not shown) for receivingthe potted plant 52. The purpose of the planter lid 50 is identical tothe purpose of the rock lid 14—to conceal the fan 12. Although theplanter lid 50 shown in FIGS. 10-12 includes a single recess (not shown)and a single plant, alternative embodiments may include a variety ofrecesses in a variety of arrangements for holding multiple plants.

[0043] In a third embodiment (see FIGS. 13 and 14), the planter lid 50of the present invention is replaced by the promotion sign lid 29. Thepromotional sign lid 29 is rectangular-shaped and includes promotionaladvertisements for businesses, such as restaurants, tanning salons, andmalls. The third embodiment of the present invention is identical to thesecond embodiment with the exception of the planter lid 50 beingreplaced by the promotional sign lid 29.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 15-18, a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention includes a housing 58, the fan 12, and a deck mount lid 62,which is adapted to be mounted beneath a deck 64. As was the case withthe second and third embodiments, the fourth embodiment is identical tothe first embodiment with a couple of exceptions. First, the housing 58includes flanges, 66 and 68, for supporting the housing 58 when it isdropped down into the deck 64, and a deck housing air inlet port 70,which performs the same function as that performed by lid air inlet port18.

[0045] In addition, the rock lid 14 is replaced with deck mount lid 62,which includes a deck air outlet port 72. The deck air outlet port 72includes a curved portion for directing the air stream 38 over the deck64.

[0046] Finally, referring to FIGS. 18-22, a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention includes the housing 10, the fan 12, and a fence mountlid 76, which is adapted to be connected to the backside of a woodenfence 78 or a brick fence 80. The fifth embodiment is identical to thefirst embodiment with the exception that the rock lid 14 is replacedwith the fence mount lid 76. The fence mount lid 76 includes a fence airinlet port 82, a damper 81, and a fence air outlet port 86. The fenceair inlet port 82 and the fence air outlet port 86 perform the samefunctions as the lid air inlet port 18 and the lid air outlet port 20,respectively, in the first embodiment. The damper 81 swings open (asshown in FIGS. 19 and 22) when the system is in use to allow air to bedrawn into the housing 10 by the fan 12 and swings closed when thesystem is not in use to prevent water from entering the housing 10.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 23, the camouflaged fan system 83 of thepresent invention may include one or more of the following optionalfeatures: 1) a water-misting device 88, 2) a heater 90, 3) motiondetectors 92, 4) an evaporative cooling assembly 94, i.e., a “swampcooler” assembly, 5) a temperature switch 96, 6) a humidity switch 98,7) a rain gauge switch 100, 8) a dc power source 102, i.e., a battery,9) solar cells 104, 10) a remote control system 106, or 11) a windsensor switch 108. The water-misting device 88 may be inserted into thehousing of a particular embodiment to inject a mist (not shown) into theair stream 38 to enhance the cooling effect of the air stream 38. In asimilar manner, the evaporative cooling device 88 may be inserted intothe housing of a particular embodiment to cool air as it is drawn intothe housing (see FIGS. 24 and 25).

[0048] The heater 90 may be inserted into the housing of a particularembodiment to heat air drawn into the housing and used when outsidetemperatures drop below a certain level. The motion detectors 92 may beconnected to the lid or housing of a particular embodiment and used tocontrol the invention based on movement close to the invention. Whenmovement is detected, the invention is turned on. When no movement isdetected for a certain period of time, the invention is turned off.

[0049] The temperature switch 96, humidity switch 98, rain gauge switch100, and wind sensor switch 108 all may be connected to the lid orhousing of a particular embodiment and may be used to turn the inventionon and off based on changing environmental conditions. For example, thetemperature switch 96 may be used to turn the invention on when acertain temperature is exceeded, the humidity switch 98 may be used toturn the invention on when a certain humidity level is exceeded, therain gauge switch 100 may be used to turn the invention off when itdetects rain, and the wind sensor switch 108 may be used to turn theinvention off when a certain wind level is exceeded.

[0050] The dc power source 102 may be inserted into the housing of aparticular embodiment and used for applications where an ac power sourceis not easily available or as a back-up power source for an ac powersource. In a similar manner, solar cells 104 may be connected to the lidor housing of a particular embodiment and used to supply power to theinvention. Finally, the remote control system 106 may be inserted intothe housing or lid and used to remotely control all the functions of thepresent invention.

[0051] Thus, although there have been described particular embodimentsof the present invention of a new and useful Outdoor Fan System, it isnot intended that such references be construed as limitations upon thescope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A outdoor fan system, comprising: ahousing; a camouflaged lid connected to the housing and having a lid airinlet port and a lid air outlet port; and a fan inside the housing fordrawing air into the housing through the lid air inlet port andpropelling an air stream out of the housing through the lid air outletport.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the camouflaged lid comprises asimulated rock lid, a garden hose reel lid, a birdbath lid, a birdfeeder lid, or a promotional sign lid.
 3. The system of claim 2, whereinthe housing is soundproof, water resistant, and mildew resistant.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, further comprising: a water-misting device inside thehousing for generating a mist for cooling the air stream; an evaporativecooling assembly for cooling the air stream; or a heater for heating theair stream.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising one or more ofthe following: a locking mechanism connected to the lid and the housingfor locking the lid to the housing, motion detectors connected to thelid or the housing for controlling the fan based on motion, atemperature switch connected to the lid or housing for controlling thefan based on temperature, a humidity switch connected to the lid orhousing for controlling the fan based on humidity levels, or a windsensor switch connected to the lid or housing for controlling the fanbased on wind levels.
 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising oneor more of the following: a rain gauge switch connected to the lid orhousing for controlling the fan based on the presence or absence ofrain, a remote control system connected to the lid or the housing forremotely controlling the system, a dc power source inside the housingfor providing power to the system, or solar cells connected to the lidor the housing for providing power to the system.
 7. An outdoor fansystem, comprising: a housing; a camouflaged lid connected to thehousing and having a lid air inlet port and a lid air outlet port; a faninside the housing for drawing air into the housing through the lid airinlet port and propelling an air stream out of the housing through thelid air outlet port; a water-misting device inside the housing forgenerating a mist for cooling the air stream; a locking mechanismconnected to the lid and the housing for locking the lid to the housing;and motion detectors connected to the lid or the housing for controllingthe fan based on motion.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the housingis soundproof, water resistant, and mildew resistant.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, further comprising one or more of the following: a temperatureswitch connected to the lid or housing for controlling the fan based ontemperature, a humidity switch connected to the lid or housing forcontrolling the fan based on humidity levels, or a wind sensor switchconnected to the lid or housing for controlling the fan based on windlevels.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising one or more of thefollowing: a rain gauge switch connected to the lid or housing forcontrolling the fan based on the presence or absence of rain, a remotecontrol system connected to the lid or the housing for remotelycontrolling the system, a dc power source inside the housing forproviding power to the system, or solar cells connected to the lid orthe housing for providing power to the system.
 11. An outdoor deck fansystem, comprising: a housing having a pair of support flanges and adeck housing air inlet port; a deck mount lid having a deck air outletport connected to the housing; and a fan inside the housing for fordrawing air into the housing through the deck housing air inlet port andpropelling an air stream out of the housing through the deck air outletport.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the housing is soundproof,water resistant, and mildew resistant.
 13. The system of claim 12,further comprising: a water-misting device inside the housing forgenerating a mist for cooling the air stream; an evaporative coolingassembly for cooling the air stream; or a heater for heating the airstream.
 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising one or more ofthe following: a locking mechanism connected to the lid and the housingfor locking the lid to the housing, motion detectors connected to thelid or the housing for controlling the fan based on motion, atemperature switch connected to the lid or housing for controlling thefan based on temperature, a humidity switch connected to the lid orhousing for controlling the fan based on humidity levels, or a windsensor switch connected to the lid or housing for controlling the fanbased on wind levels.
 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising oneor more of the following: a rain gauge switch connected to the lid orhousing for controlling the fan based on the presence or absence ofrain, a remote control system connected to the lid or the housing forremotely controlling the system, a dc power source inside the housingfor providing power to the system, or solar cells connected to the lidor the housing for providing power to the system.
 16. An outdoor fencefan system, comprising: a housing; a fence mount lid removably connectedto the housing, the lid including a fence air inlet port and a fence airoutlet port formed, the fence air outlet port adapted to be connected toa fence; and a fan inside the housing for drawing air into the housingand propelling an air stream out of the housing through the fence airoutlet port.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the housing issoundproof, water resistant, and mildew resistant.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, further comprising: a water-misting device inside the housingfor generating a mist for cooling the air stream; an evaporative coolingassembly for cooling the air stream; or a heater for heating the airstream.
 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising one or more ofthe following: a locking mechanism connected to the lid and the housingfor locking the lid to the housing, motion detectors connected to thelid or the housing for controlling the fan based on motion, atemperature switch connected to the lid or housing for controlling thefan based on temperature, a humidity switch connected to the lid orhousing for controlling the fan based on humidity levels, or a windsensor switch connected to the lid or housing for controlling the fanbased on wind levels.
 20. The system of claim 19, further comprising oneor more of the following: a rain gauge switch connected to the lid orhousing for controlling the fan based on the presence or absence ofrain, a remote control system connected to the lid or the housing forremotely controlling the system, a dc power source inside the housingfor providing power to the system, or solar cells connected to the lidor the housing for providing power to the system.